Novel Reaction Post: Warbreaker
Woah, it's been awhile since I've done one of these. I blame this on Tumblr. However, I don't like how all-text posts look on that site, so I'm on here.
Today I'm writing about Brandon Sanderson's novel Warbreaker because it holds the distinction of being the first novel I've started and actually finished in a good while. Whether or not this novel has finally broken my reading slump remains to be seen, however.
The summary (from Goodreads):
This is Sanderson's fifth novel after Elantris, and the Mistborn trilogy, none of which I've read. However, Warbreaker is a stand-alone novel, so it's not necessary to have read his previous works.
My thoughts are below the cut. There will probably be spoilers, so be warned. Also, know that I read the version he posted online here.
I downloaded this book shortly before leaving for a weekend trip after reading this recommendation, but had planned on saving it for another time. Here's the thing about e-books, though: they're much more convenient to carry around and read while travelling. So rather than pull out the paperback novel I brought, I started reading this.
I found it difficult to put down, which is a very good sign. During my downtime that weekend, I would pull out my tablet and get absorbed into the world. And I do enjoy a good fantasy novel with a fascinating idea. In this case, the concept of BioChromatic Breath and the magic powers that make use of it, which is explained throughout the book. While there's still a few bits I'm trying to grasp, I've mostly got the hang of what we need to know. The different religions are also interesting and ring true to real life
I also really love the characters. That's good because Warbreaker is told in multiple POV's, alternating between sisters Siri and Vivenna, the god Lightsong, and Vasher, a man we don't know much about. Depending on the kind of novel I'm reading, I can sometimes be put off by changes in viewpoints. However, it worked for me here.
Thoughts about various characters:
- I adore Lightsong. He's so flippant and cynical about his religion, but he does care about people. I enjoyed reading his interactions with others, especially his high priest Llarimar. (That man is a saint for putting up with him. XD) The ending to his story made me sad, though.
- Between the two sisters, I liked Siri a bit more. Siri is more lively and not as bound to the rules, and was able to adjust to life in the Hallandren court. She was also able to get the God King Susebron to open up to her, which I highly doubt Vivenna would've done had she gone to Hallendren as planned. Speaking of Susebron, I wanted to hug him; he's so child-like in his understanding of the world.
- However, I was able to relate to Vivenna more than I did to Siri. There's a lot about her that I understood: the image of confidence and perfection she's had to maintain, her need to be useful and needed, how she's had to keep her own feelings hidden for a long time, and even the way she's had to change her views after being confronted with reality. Basically, I saw a lot of myself in Vivenna. I hope that made sense.
- Does Nightblood count as a character? He's a talking sword, so I dunno. But like Lightsong, he amused me with his observations. I was more attached to it than I was to Vasher. Bizzare.
One thing I'm iffy about is the ending. It's pretty open-ended and leaves room for interpretation and a potential sequel. I'm OK with it, but I do like a bit more closure in my stand-alone novels. There was also a lot happening in the last ten chapters or so; most of the novel spans several months, while the last few chapters take place in the course of one or two days. It's a lot to take in.
I also would've liked to see a bit more interaction between the sisters. They're finally reunited near the end of the novel, but there was only a page or so of them actually talking.
Otherwise, I'm glad I checked out Warbreaker. It was an enjoyable read, and I definitely plan on buying the book version.
Right now, I'm reading the annotations Sanderson has on the website. It's a good chance to see why he made the decisions he did while writing his novel.
This entry was originally posted at http://rfmadison.dreamwidth.org/11802.html. No need to comment over there; I can respond to comments here, too.
Today I'm writing about Brandon Sanderson's novel Warbreaker because it holds the distinction of being the first novel I've started and actually finished in a good while. Whether or not this novel has finally broken my reading slump remains to be seen, however.
The summary (from Goodreads):
Warbreaker is the story of two sisters, who happen to be princesses, the God King one of them has to marry, the lesser god who doesn’t like his job, and the immortal who’s still trying to undo the mistakes he made hundreds of years ago.
Their world is one in which those who die in glory return as gods to live confined to a pantheon in Hallandren’s capital city and where a power known as BioChromatic magic is based on an essence known as breath that can only be collected one unit at a time from individual people.
By using breath and drawing upon the color in everyday objects, all manner of miracles and mischief can be accomplished. It will take considerable quantities of each to resolve all the challenges facing Vivenna and Siri, princesses of Idris; Susebron the God King; Lightsong, reluctant god of bravery, and mysterious Vasher, the Warbreaker.
This is Sanderson's fifth novel after Elantris, and the Mistborn trilogy, none of which I've read. However, Warbreaker is a stand-alone novel, so it's not necessary to have read his previous works.
My thoughts are below the cut. There will probably be spoilers, so be warned. Also, know that I read the version he posted online here.
I downloaded this book shortly before leaving for a weekend trip after reading this recommendation, but had planned on saving it for another time. Here's the thing about e-books, though: they're much more convenient to carry around and read while travelling. So rather than pull out the paperback novel I brought, I started reading this.
I found it difficult to put down, which is a very good sign. During my downtime that weekend, I would pull out my tablet and get absorbed into the world. And I do enjoy a good fantasy novel with a fascinating idea. In this case, the concept of BioChromatic Breath and the magic powers that make use of it, which is explained throughout the book. While there's still a few bits I'm trying to grasp, I've mostly got the hang of what we need to know. The different religions are also interesting and ring true to real life
I also really love the characters. That's good because Warbreaker is told in multiple POV's, alternating between sisters Siri and Vivenna, the god Lightsong, and Vasher, a man we don't know much about. Depending on the kind of novel I'm reading, I can sometimes be put off by changes in viewpoints. However, it worked for me here.
Thoughts about various characters:
- I adore Lightsong. He's so flippant and cynical about his religion, but he does care about people. I enjoyed reading his interactions with others, especially his high priest Llarimar. (That man is a saint for putting up with him. XD) The ending to his story made me sad, though.
- Between the two sisters, I liked Siri a bit more. Siri is more lively and not as bound to the rules, and was able to adjust to life in the Hallandren court. She was also able to get the God King Susebron to open up to her, which I highly doubt Vivenna would've done had she gone to Hallendren as planned. Speaking of Susebron, I wanted to hug him; he's so child-like in his understanding of the world.
- However, I was able to relate to Vivenna more than I did to Siri. There's a lot about her that I understood: the image of confidence and perfection she's had to maintain, her need to be useful and needed, how she's had to keep her own feelings hidden for a long time, and even the way she's had to change her views after being confronted with reality. Basically, I saw a lot of myself in Vivenna. I hope that made sense.
- Does Nightblood count as a character? He's a talking sword, so I dunno. But like Lightsong, he amused me with his observations. I was more attached to it than I was to Vasher. Bizzare.
One thing I'm iffy about is the ending. It's pretty open-ended and leaves room for interpretation and a potential sequel. I'm OK with it, but I do like a bit more closure in my stand-alone novels. There was also a lot happening in the last ten chapters or so; most of the novel spans several months, while the last few chapters take place in the course of one or two days. It's a lot to take in.
I also would've liked to see a bit more interaction between the sisters. They're finally reunited near the end of the novel, but there was only a page or so of them actually talking.
Otherwise, I'm glad I checked out Warbreaker. It was an enjoyable read, and I definitely plan on buying the book version.
Right now, I'm reading the annotations Sanderson has on the website. It's a good chance to see why he made the decisions he did while writing his novel.
This entry was originally posted at http://rfmadison.dreamwidth.org/11802.html. No need to comment over there; I can respond to comments here, too.